Various Artists - 1997 "Hot Jazz Biscuits"

This sampler has one selection apiece from 14 of Hip Bop's first 15 releases, ranging from all-star projects to dates led by Lenny White, Michael Urbaniak, Tom Browne and the Meeting. Many top players make brief appearances (including saxophonists Gato Barbieri, Kenny Garrett, Branford Marsalis and Ernie Watts), and the music ranges from fairly straight-ahead to funk. A good introduction to the label, although the diversity of the music insures that most listeners would be more satisfied with one or two of the regular releases instead.

This is a wonderfully colorful assortment of 90's hip-bop essence samplers, the core being "The Essence All Stars". It starts in a funky jazz groove and just gets better and better.
At 73 minutes long with stars such as Kenny Garrett, Bennie Maupin, Bob James, Kenny Burrell, Ron Carter, Gato Barbieri, Ernie Watts, Marcus Miller, Lenny White, Mike Mainieri, Chaka Khan and Branford Marsallis it's all too short.
The recording quality is superb and the distinct impression is that it was carefully and lovingly put together.

Track listing:

1 Who Do You Love?     Lenny White     4:59    
2 Hot Jazz Biscuits     Urbanator     4:41    
3 Bluesanova     Tom Browne     6:54    
4 Luny Tune     The Essence All Stars     5:56    
5 Funk In Deep Freeze     Bop City     3:58    
6 Jam Fo’Real     Tom Browne     3:59    
7 Up Jumped Spring     The Essence All Stars     5:37    
8 Late One Night     The Meeting     6:43    
9 Dr. Jackle     The Essence All Stars     5:08    
10 Cubano Chant     The Essence All Stars     4:43    
11 Magic     Urbanator     5:49    
12 Savant     Lenny White     4:34    
13 Bass Blues     The Essence All Stars     4:58    
14 Freedom Jazz Dance     The Essence All Stars     5:10 

Total time - 72:43